Hospital volunteer wags goodbye

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Hospital staff and patients in Surrey are saying farewell to one of their most popular volunteers - Bodkin, a 13-year-old black Labrador Retriever.

Bodkin and owner Frank Hardy have been visiting East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, for 10 years befriending patients.

They work for charity Pets as Therapy, which is replacing Bodkin with two-year-old Golden Retriever Ellie.

The NHS trust which runs the hospital said Mr Hardy and Bodkin had provided comfort and companionship to patients.

Their visits were particularly valued by children and the elderly, many of whom were missing their own pets while in hospital.

Tears in eyes

Mr Hardy said one of his most treasured memories was of a blind woman on one of the wards who had been waiting for Bodkin's visit.

"I hadn't realised she was blind until Bodkin went up to her and she looked up with tears in her eyes," he said.

"Bodkin sat down next to her and put his head in her lap as she asked questions about him, while stroking his head.

"It's at times like this that I know our visit means a great deal.

"Patients can feel very isolated and they open up whenever we come round."

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said all staff and visitors to the hospital used hand cleansing rub to help prevent the spread of infection.

"Bodkin and Ellie use this in a similar way to us, with the cleansing rub going on their noses," said volunteer co-ordinator Maris Codling.